Mohamed Hassan al-Ta’aishi, prime minister of the Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS), on Wednesday issued a decree to speed up humanitarian access nationwide, establishing a central authority to handle visas, customs and movement permits for aid groups.
The order, grounded in the transitional constitution and Sudan’s obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, creates a “National Humanitarian Access Authority” under the prime minister to coordinate with UN agencies and NGOs and file monthly implementation reports.
Under the decree, aid organisations are to be granted freedom of movement across the country, with movement permits approved within seven days. Humanitarian staff visas and residency requests must be decided within 14 days.
Humanitarian consignments will be exempt from customs duties and taxes, with clearance to be completed within seven working days. The decision also permits cross-border, air and river operations, with crossing points, airports and ports to be designated later.
The decree bans illegal levies on aid cargo and prohibits linking assistance to political, ethnic or religious considerations. It also criminalises attacks or harassment of aid workers and beneficiaries.
Public officials or entities that obstruct relief operations face administrative and criminal penalties, including possible dismissal, fines and imprisonment.
All ministries, state authorities and public bodies are ordered to comply. The decree takes effect one month after publication in the official gazette.
